> Continue? > by GodOfBBQ > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Player 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Player 2 The day had finally arrived. The day almost every student in Miss Cherilee’s class awaited. The day when their troubles and worries would end for a few months. This day was of course, the final day of school. But this last day of school was more important than just the end of a grade. No, it was a segway to a whole new schooling system. A whole new rank. The next school year would be the first year of high school for the children. But none of the students worried about that on this particular day. They only worried about one thing. What were they to do when they have all the time in the world? Applebloom was busy with the farm, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon would most likely travel to some exotic country or land, leaving the others to wonder what they would do. However, a student named Button Mash knew exactly what he would do, and he would do it with none other than; new student, and his gaming friend, Double Points. She and him met when Button was in the 5th grade of his class, and she had joined the class when the 6th grade had begun. Ever since then, they’ve been the best of friends. Since Double was (as far as Button knew) the only gamer in the class aside from Sweetie Belle, he could easily communicate with her without any awkward moments. That was another thing. Sweetie Belle was one of Button’s best friends. Whenever Double was busy with her dad, or when she simply couldn't hang out, Button would always resort to hanging out with Sweetie Belle. Button thought that Sweetie was cool and all, but she’s fairly new to the gaming world and Double was actually somepony who knew what she was doing. Somepony who Button could communicate with without having to explain a game’s lore. Another thing was Sweetie would always act odd around Button. Button didn’t pay it any mind, but every so often Button would catch Sweetie staring at him with a blush across her face. Something was up with her, Button knew that. But he played it safe by not bothering with whatever was going through Sweetie’s mind. Whatever it was, Button didn’t worry about it at the moment. Currently, he was getting ready for Double’s arrival. School had ended just a couple hours ago and Button was more than happy for Double’s return. She had been away to Manehatten with her father. She served as one of the children in the test audience for a new video game along with a new console to come out sometime in the next year. She had written to Button that she was going to bring a new game that hasn’t hit stores yet, and nopony else owns a copy other than the creators; and herself of course. Button was in his room, it was as clean as it was when they first moved in. He took a step back to admire his work. He ran a mental checklist. ‘Okay. [x] Mom out of the house. [x] Cookies, chips, soda, and energy drinks. [x] Game system turned on and ready to go. [x] Two Controllers. [x] Charged controllers [x] Extra batteries for controllers [x] Sleeping bags. (incase we play late into the night) [x] Every game I own in a stack. [x] And six bottles of water. Yeah. I think that’ll do it!’ As soon as he wrapped up his thoughts, he heard a knock at the door. ‘Oh! That must be her!’ Button rushed over to the front door to greet his companion. However, when he opened the door he was instead met with Sweetie Belle. “Oh… Uh, hey Sweetie Belle. What’re you doing here?” Button asked. “Nothing. I was bored and I was hoping you could hang out. Applebloom’s working on the farm and Scootaloo’s on another camping trip with Rainbow Dash.” “Oh… Well, I’m kind of expecting somepony and it’s very important.” Button explained while he rubbed the back of his neck. “Oh. Well, can I meet this somepony? Who is he?” Sweetie asked with interest. “Well actually… It’s a She and you know her from school.” Button replied. “Oh. Well… Can I still hang out? I really don’t want to be at the boutique with my sister anymore.” Sweetie Belle pouted. Not wanting to hurt Sweetie’s feelings and seeing no other way to handle this, Button let her in. To which Sweetie replied with a tight hug. ‘Well that was random...’ Button thought. The two made their way to Button’s room where Sweetie was almost shocked how his room was actually neat for once and because of the massive display of food. “I thought you said you were expecting a single pony, not a whole group of them…” Sweetie commented. “Yeah well, she just got back from Manehatten and I wanted to make her return special. That’s all.” Button explained. “Well, you did a good job.” Sweetie replied sweetly. “Thanks. You can not-” Button was interrupted by the sound of the front door being knocked. “Oh! That’s her!” Button exclaimed. As he rushed off, Sweetie decided to make herself comfortable and sat down next to the cookie plate. Taking a cookie for herself she heard Button introduce his guest. While the guest’s voice sounded familiar, she couldn’t exactly point out who it was. But her wonder of who it could be was solved when Button brought the filly to the entrance of his room. ‘Double Points?’ Sweetie thought. “Oh, hey Sweetie Belle. What’re you doing here?” Double asked with a friendly smile. “Oh, I’m just hanging out is all.” Sweetie replied, slightly surprised at who the guest was. She had known Double was a game freak like Button and had caught them conversing with one another on multiple occasions, but she always thought that she rolled with Diamond and Silver given her wealth and social class. “Well, it’s awesome to see you here. But Button, didn’t you say it was just going to be the two of us?” Double asked turning towards Button. “Originally yeah. I mean, I even got out two sleeping bags for us if we ever pass out while gaming. But Sweetie popped up and I thought ‘hey, the more the merrier’ right? “Yeah… Okay, sure!” Double said, sounding as if she was let down in some way. “I might just also take you up on that sleeping deal. While we were away, termites infested my house so my father and I are staying in a hotel until then. I’ll just write him a letter letting him know that I’ll sleep here tonight.” “Cool! That means we can play all night!” Button said enthusiastically. Sweetie on the other hand was more jealous. She knew she couldn’t stay the night. Not only was her sister not Okay with her sleeping over at a colt’s home, but she did have a curfew whenever she stayed with Rarity. “I’ll try to stay as long as I can!” Sweetie chirped. Double and Button glanced at her as if she were crazy. “Uh, nice!” Double said. “That’d be good.” Button added. A long awkward pause fell over the group. Button coughing here and there. “So, Double!” Button said with a clap of his hooves. “Button!” Double mocked, clapping her hooves as well. “I hear you brought a new game!” “I did indeed! It’s still in development so the game may have some kinks. It is a beta copy after all.” Double said with a chuckle. “Oh yeah!? What’s the game called?” Sweetie asked. “That, Miss Belle, is an excellent question! Prepare yourself for the next best game in history!” Double Points hid the game under her closed wing. “I present to you… LEGEND OF TAMAN! FOR THE PEGA GENESIS!” Her voice boomed. “Wow! What kind of game is it?” Button asked with amazement. “It’s like Dungeons and Dragons. Only in a video game form and there’s no dice involved.” “So an RPG?” Sweetie asked. “Exactly Miss Belle! A fantasy RPG.” Double says with a deep whisper. “Ooh! Exciting!” Sweetie commented. “Alright, well, pop the game in the slot! Let’s adventure the shiz out of Legend of Taman!” Button said with excitement. “Shiz will be played once I do something! BRB!” Double tossed Button the game cartridge and ran off to the living room. Once she was alone, she grabbed a blank sheet of paper and quill and wrote her father a note, letting him know of her slumber party with Button. On her way back to his room, she began to think to herself. ‘I was hoping it was just going to be Button and I tonight… Oh well. Hopefully Sweetie won’t newb out on us.’ With the letter under her wing, she entered Button’s room, ready to wreck the two in this RPG. > Choose Your Character! > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Choose Your Character Sweetie, Button and Double sat together in front of Button’s television, the famous familiar jingle of a Pega system played as it transitioned to the game’s menu screen. Button and Sweetie marveled over the menu screen’s righteousness . ‘16 bits of absolute perfection!’ Button thought to himself as he stared at the texture of a stone ruin that served as a background to the game’s menu options. They ranged from Start, Options, and Credits. Button Mash, who was player 1; result of a flip of the coin, chose to not waste any time and quickly chose ‘Start’ which lead to another screen that displayed large white text that read, ‘Choose Your Character’ in bold. Below the text, there were four different classes to choose from. Each being personified by a pony. Fire class was a bright red earth pony mare with dark black, thick mane with orange cracks running through the mane. Her eyes were a bright orange and she wore an angry face. The water class was another mare; she was a unicorn however and she had pale blue fur. Her eyes were as white as pearls and her mane was a darker blue with white streaks splashing through her mane, her mane had a watery look to it. Unlike the fire class, she had a kind smile on her muzzle. The Earth class was a stallion this time. He seemed to be an earth pony with dirt brown fur, dark green mane, and black eyes. He had a determined and serious face. The final class; an Air class, was a pure white pegasus stallion. His mane was swept back with a pale sky blue color. His eyes were a normal dark blue. He had a happy, toothy smile and he seemed very excited for whatever reason. “Hm, which one should you pick Button?” Sweetie asked as she scooted closer to the colt. Button paid it no mind, simply shrugging it off as if she needed a better view. “I’unno… When it comes to these kind of decisions, I usually choose a fire class. But it doesn’t take a gaming master to know that fire classes have a weakness to water, so I could play it safe and play as a water or an earth class.” Button lectured. “Ooh! Be the air! He looks cute!” Sweetie chirped. Double and Button snickered. “‘He’s cute?’ Sweetie, look… You don’t choose a class just based off how he or she looks.” Button began but was interrupted by Double. “Do stallions really play as mares just because of the stats?” She asked jokingly. “... Please don’t Double… Just… Don’t tread that land there.” Button said as he pointed at Double. “Anyway, it’s a very crucial decision to make in these games… It’s serious. It takes a lot of thought, a lot of soul searching-” “Just choose the freaking Water type and get on with it!” Double exclaimed. “Right, going with Water…” Button said sounding defeated. Sweetie crossed her arms. Annoyed by the fact that Button obeyed Double’s words but not hers. Upon choosing the water type, he was presented with the character’s stats, strengths, weaknesses, powers, and weapon. The weapon was a spear like object. However it seemed to have two axe blades on two sides. With Button’s character chosen, it was Double’s turn to choose her class. It didn’t take long for her to choose. She instantly went for the Earth class. “Why’d you get the earth class Double?” Button asked. “‘Cause it’s like, the best character in the game. Believe me, I was there when they were testing the game Button.” Double informed. “Oh yeah... Why didn’t you tell me to pick the Earth class in the first place?” Button complained. “Button. We’ve been friends for three years, you should know that I feed you bull crap sometimes. But don’t worry. Just be glad I didn’t give you the Air class.” Double joked. Sweetie quietly growled. With Double’s and Button’s characters chosen, the game began and they found their characters in a dark forest. A few text boxes and plot later, the game officially began and the two players could control their characters. “So… When do I play?” Sweetie asked. “Oh, uh… In about 10 minutes you can take over for me. I’ve played this game before and I don’t want to hog the experience.” Double said. “Oh, thanks Double Points!” “No problem Miss Belle.” ~***~ Ten minutes later and Sweetie Belle was finally able to play the game herself. While it did suffer from a couple of color glitches and a few coding errors, the game itself was fun. It had an interesting plot line about the characters being the embodiments of an element, and must use their powers to defeat a dark lord who wants to take away all color from the world. Leaving it lifeless and dead. While Sweetie was new to the gaming world, Button liked her quick learning quality. All Button needed to do was tell Sweetie the basic controls and what was going on in game, story wise, then she was set to go. Double, who sat behind the two reached for another cookie on the plate that sat between Sweetie and Button. While it may seem cliché, Button and Double’s hand met on the same cookie. A warm blush came across Double’s face, as did Button’s face. Both sharing eye contact. Sweetie took notice of this and instantly became jealous. ‘I came here to tell Button how I felt! Not watch him make goo-goo eyes with Double Points! I have to stop this!’ “Hey Button, I found a… Thing!” Sweetie exclaimed. As luck may have it, her character stood in front of an old temple. Button’s head swiveled back to the screen. He gasped with surprise. “Oh wow! Double, what’s this!?” Double was speechless. The blush still covered her muzzle. Trying to hide it, she looked up at the screen, and pointed with a hoof. “That’s the entrance to the temple of Treighnu. An undead wizard, you want to kill him before anything. He has this ring that protects from fire attacks.” Double informed. “Alright, thanks Double!” Button said. “Yeah, thanks!” Sweetie added. ‘Oh you’re welcome Miss Belle...’ > Damage +10 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Damage +10 A few hours of game play later and all three children were beginning to feel the strain of staring at a screen without looking away or getting a break. While it wasn’t as bad with Sweetie or Double given the fact they took turns, Button got the worst of it. His eyelids looked heavy, they were bloodshot, and he wore an expressionless face that would mistake him for being dead. Double had gotten away with a few more minutes of game play since Sweetie Belle had passed out behind them on one of the laid out sleeping bags. It’s been a few hours since any of the children had checked a clock, the last time they did, it was around 2:30. Grumbling, Double paused the game; confusing Button as to why his screen read Pause. She put her controller down and wiped her eyes, wanting to give them a break. “Gaming’s fun and all, but geez, I don’t think I’ve sat down for… How long have we been sitting here Button?” Double asked. “Uh… I’unno. When did you arrive?” “I think… 2:27?” Double guessed. “Let me check the- Gah!” Button began to get up, but as he did so, he felt three different painful spots in his body. His head for one, boy did he have a massive headache. His hooves, given the fact that he was sitting for, Celestia knows when, his legs weren’t ready for such sudden movement, and finally his eyes. They were dry, and everything was fuzzy. “Wooph, I’m not feeling too good Double…” Button murmured. “Been there, done that pal.” Double said as she continued to wipe away the fatigue from her eyes. Meanwhile, Button made his way to the living room to check the grandfather clock they had received from a dying relative. Button couldn’t remember who or what their relevance was since they were some sort of cousin. He stopped in front of the large wooden clock and checked the arms. He squinted his eyes to get clear view of the time. It was then when he learned that it was 7:47. “Huh… a little over five hours of gameplay. I’d say this was a good day.” Button commented. He then turned and made his way back to his room where he found Double chugging down another energy drink. Noticing Button’s arrival, Double put her can down. “Hey Button. You know you have a digital clock on your desk right?” Double informed. Button looked over to his desk and widened his eyes in surprise. “Wow… I guess I forgot.” He said. Button looked over to Sweetie Belle and remembered she had said something about a curfew. ‘I guess I should wake her up.’ Button suggested. Button made his way over to the sleeping filly and knelt down to meet her laying down height. He nudged her head with a hoof. “Sweetie. Hey, Sweetie don’t you have be home soon?” Sweetie turned and squirmed. “Mmm, not until nightfall…” Sweetie informed. “It’s 7:50…” Button said. A long pause fell over the room, then Sweetie Belle suddenly leaped up into the air and yelped with fear. “Oh no!” She exclaimed. She looked out Button’s window to see the sun almost completely gone. “I have to go! Thanks for having me Button!” Sweetie exclaimed as she began to charge out of the room. “Sure thing. If you want, maybe you can-” Double put a hoof on Button’s shoulder, stopping him mid-sentence. She only shook her head with a serious look. “Uh… I mean, have a good night!” Button cheerfully said. Sweetie, who had poked her head back to see Button. “Oh… Well, thanks Button. See you later!” She said as she left. After some seconds of silence from Sweetie’s part all that could be heard was the sound of a door opening and closing. Outside, Sweetie stood in front of Button's home’s front door. She sighed sad gust of breath and began to trudge her way home with her head hung low. ‘Maybe next time...’ Sweetie thought. ‘Maybe next time.’ ~***~ Whenever she had a commission to work on, Rarity would usually spend her nights working. If it wasn’t a large commission, she wouldn’t spend too much time on the order, but when it was a huge order from a very important customer; let’s say celebrity in this case, she would work 24/7 to get the outfit or outfits just right. No mistakes, no errors, and no cut corners are aloud when she works. Now, during these working hours, she wouldn’t allow Sweetie to be over most of the time. In her defense, the order had arrived when Sweetie was over. Rarity couldn’t send her back to their parents, given the fact they were traveling at the time. So, in short, she was stuck with Sweetie. Rarity worked a bit of fabric through a sewing machine. She was almost in trance with the constant sound of the sewing machine running through the sheet of fabric. Whenever she was in this trance, it was near impossible to get her out of her little bubble. Only the most loudest and obnoxious of noises could bring her back to reality. Rarity's front door slammed open. Sweetie Belle was teary eyed and was crying. Very loudly. The sudden noise snapped Rarity back to reality, while her business side was annoyed that her focus was interrupted, her older sibling side worried and wondered what her sister was crying about. She stopped what she was doing and made her way to where Sweetie Belle stood. “Sweetie, darling, what’s the matter?” She asked pulling Sweetie into a hug. Even though Sweetie was fourteen and was more mature, that didn’t mean she wasn’t sensitive. It wasn’t rare to have Sweetie crying every so often. “It’s nothing, really. Just, go back to work.” Sweetie said as she wiped away her tears with a hoof. “Well you’re crying. So something has to be wrong. Can you please tell me?” Rarity asked in a caring tone. “I really don’t want to talk about it Rarity. I’m going to bed…” Sweetie escaped Rarity’s hold and made her way upstairs to her room. Rarity sat alone in the living room of her boutique. Wondering what sent Sweetie home crying. ‘Poor dear. I’ll give her time to calm down. Then I’ll speak with her…’